EFL In Favour Of Shorter Window & Other Changes

At a meeting of all EFL member clubs yesterday, there was a strong indication they would be in favour of making amendments to the summer's transfer window.

The plan was discussed at the meeting following the EFL indicating they would be open to discussions in line with the moves made by the Premier League over the summer that has now been ratified, and with a broad agreement that it would be welcomed, a formal vote will now take place at the February 2018 meeting.

It's believed the outline for Championship, League One and League Two clubs would however still enable them to sign players on loan until August 31st and that would tally with the agreement in place for transfer window changes in the Premier League.

Earlier this month top flight clubs struck agreement to close the 'buy' window within the Premier League one week before the big kick off to avoid long standing issues of players being unsettled when the focus should be matches.

The Premier League agreement still sees them able to buy from abroad and sell to Football League clubs until August 31, and it's expected that will form the basis of the EFL vote where the buying window will be shorter between member clubs, and then cease ahead of the first kick off whilst loan deals and buying from abroad would continue until August 31.

If the vote is passed, it will come into force presumably for the 2018/19 season.

'Today was all about understanding a direction of travel in what is a hugely emotive matter not only for clubs and managers but supporters as well. The clubs have been clear in their mandate and we will now go away and look to develop a set of proposals before moving this matter on to the next stage, which would be a formal vote in order to change our regulations.'

Other changes discussed were 'full strength teams' spanning on from selections last season as the campaign came to an end. There was broad agreement that from 'the fourth Thursday in March' all League team sheets 'should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the League game before'.

A formal vote on that issue will also take place in February and if ratified, breaches would be charged under Regulation 24 and go to a disciplinary commission.

Clubs were also asked for their views on moving to four or five substitutes in a game. This option will not be progressed further at this stage.